List of aces of aces

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Ace of aces is a title accorded to the top active ace within a branch of service in a nation's military in time of war.[ citation needed ] The title is most closely associated with fighter aces, though there are other types, such as tank aces and submarine aces.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Flying aces

Ace of aces is a title accorded to the top flying ace of a nation's air force during time of war.[ citation needed ]

World War I

The concept of aces emerged in 1915 during World War I.

PersonCountryWWI years activeOverall years activeAerial victoriesPlane flownNotes
Adolphe Pégoud Flag of France.svg French Third Republic 5 February 1915 – 31 August 19151907–1915The first flying ace in history. [1]
Jean Navarre Flag of France.svg French Third Republic September 1914 – 17 June 19161914–191912 Nieuport 11, Nieuport 16 and Morane-Saulnier L Wounded in action on 17 June 1916. [2] [ better source needed ]
Georges Guynemer Flag of France.svg French Third Republic 8 June 1915 – 11 September 19171914–191754 Morane-Saulnier L, Spad VII, SPAD XII and SPAD XIII [2] [ better source needed ] [3] [ better source needed ]
Charles Nungesser Flag of France.svg French Third Republic July 1915 – 14 August 19181914–191843 Voisin 3, Nieuport 17, Nieuport 25 and SPAD XIII
René Fonck Flag of France.svg French Third Republic May 1915 – 1 november 19181914–1918

1937–1940

75 Caudron G III, SPAD VII, SPAD XII and SPAD XIII All-time Allied ace of aces, with 75 confirmed aerial victories. [4] [ page needed ] [5] [6]
Oswald Boelcke Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire 15 August 1914 – 28 October 19161911–1916 Fokker E.I, Fokker E.III, Fokker E.IV, Fokker D.III, Albatros D.I and Albatros D.II
Max Immelmann Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire February 1915 – 18 June 19161911–1916 Fokker E.I and Fokker E.IV
Werner Voss Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire 27 January 1915 – 23 September 19171914–191748 Albatros D.III, Fokker Dr.I, Pfalz D.III, Pfalz Dr.I, Albatros D.V 48 confirmed victories, tied with Josef Jacobs.
Erich Loewenhardt Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire March 1917 – 10 August 19181914–191854 confirmed victories, third after Manfred von Richthofen and Ernst Udet. [7] [ page needed ]
Manfred von Richthofen Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire 17 September 1916 – 21 April 19181911 - 191880The ace of aces von Richthofen, also called "The Red Baron", achieved 80 air combat victories, the highest score in World War I.
Ernst Udet Flag of the German Empire.svg German Empire – end of World War I62 confirmed victories, second after Manfred von Richthofen [8]
Raymond Collishaw Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Dominion of Canada August 1916 – end of World War ICredited with 60 victories, making him the second highest scoring Canadian ace of the war, behind Billy Bishop. [9]
Frederick Libby Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
( Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg RAF)
2 December 1916 – 2 December 1917The first American ace. Fourteen victories. [10]
Billy Bishop Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Dominion of Canada April 1917 – end of World War ICredited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian and British Empire ace of the war. [11] In 1917 he became the highest scoring ace in the RFC and the third top ace of the war, behind only the Red Baron and René Fonck. [12]
Raoul Lufbery Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
( Flag of France.svg Armée de l'air)
2 December 1917 – 15 May 1918Succeeded Libby by scoring his 15th and 16th victories. [13]
Paul Frank Baer Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
( Flag of France.svg Armée de l'air)
15 May 1918 – 18 May 1918Succeeded Lufbery on his death. Nine victories. [14] [ better source needed ]
Frank Leaman Baylies Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
( Flag of France.svg Armée de l'air)
18 May 1918 – 12 June 1918Succeeded Baer on his death. [14] [ better source needed ]
David E. Putnam Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
( Flag of France.svg Armée de l'air)
12 June 1918 – 12 September 1918Succeeded Bayliss on his capture. [14] [ better source needed ][ clarification needed ]
Frank Luke Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 12 September 1918 – 29 September 1918Succeeded Bayliss on his death. [14] [ better source needed ][ clarification needed ]
Eddie Rickenbacker Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 29 September 1918 – end of World War ISucceeded Luke on his death. Was the American ace of aces for overall aerial victories (26). [14] [ better source needed ]
Indra Lal Roy British Raj Red Ensign.svg British India 1917–1918India's most successful fighter pilot, with 12 kills (two shared). He remains the only Indian fighter ace to this day. [15] [ better source needed ]

World War II

World War II had more aces than any other war.

PersonCountryWWII years activeOverall years activeAerial victoriesPlane flownNotes
Erich Hartmann Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany 19 September 1942-8 May 19451940–1945

1956–1970

352 Bf 109 Hartmann is the highest scoring ace of all time, with 352 aerial victories, the first pilot to achieve 300 aerial victories (on 24 August 1944) and 350 aerial victories (on 17 April 1945) [16]
Ilmari Juutilainen Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 1939–19441932–194794 Fokker D.XXI, Brewster Buffalo and Bf 109 The top scoring Ilmavoimat (Finnish Air Force), and the top scoring non-German fighter pilot of all time. The top flying ace of the Finnish Air Force with 94 confirmed aerial combat victories [17]
Pat Pattle Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4 August 1940– 20 April 19411936–194150 Hurricanes and Gladiators Credited with 51 victories, making him the most successful South African Ace of the Second World War.
Sailor Malan Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  South Africa 1939–19441932–194630 Spitfire Commanded Biggin Hill at the height of the Battle of Britain, shooting down Werner Molders. Credited with over 30 confirmed victories.
George 'Buzz' Beurling Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1940–19441940–1944, 194831 Spitfire and P-51 Mustangs Credited with 31 confirmed victories, making him the most successful Canadian ace of the Second World War. [18]
James Edgar 'Johnnie' Johnson Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1941–19451939–196634 Spitfire Highest scoring British ace of the war, with 34 confirmed kills.
Richard Bong Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 19 January 1942–6 August 19451941–194540 P-38 Lightning and P-80 Shooting Star Top US flying ace of the war, credited with 40 confirmed downed Japanese aircraft. Awarded the Medal of Honor. [19]
Ivan Kozhedub Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union 6 July 1943 – 17 April 19451940–198564 La-5 and La-7 Credited with 64 victories, Kozhedub is the top scoring Allied ace of World War II. One of the few pilots to shoot down a Messerschmitt Me 262. [20] [21]
William R. Dunn Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
( Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eagle Squadron)
16 April 1941 – June 19441934–1935

1939–1973

12.5 Spitfire, Hurricanes and P-47 Thunderbolt First US ace of the war, while flying with the RAF. [22] [ page needed ]
Joe Foss Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States October 1942–19441939–195526 F4U Corsair and F4F Wildcat Credited with 26 confirmed downed Japanese aircraft. Awarded the Medal of Honor. [23] [ better source needed ]
Werner Mölders Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany 1 September 1939 – 22 November 19411931–1941 Bf 109 [24]
Alfred Schreiber Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany -26 November 19441933-19445 Messerschmitt Me 262 First aerial victory by a jet fighter and first jet ace in aviation history. [25]
Robin Olds Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States August 1943–19451943-197313 P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang Triple ace - Olds was the only pilot to "make ace" in both the P-38 (five victories) and the P-51 (eight victories) in the war.

Post-World War II era

PersonCountryWarsYears activeAerial victoriesPlane flownNotes
Royal N. Baker Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Korean War 1941–197513 F-86 Sabre Was the ace of aces for jet-vs-jet combat. Succeeded Davis on his death. [26] [ better source needed ] [27] [ better source needed ]
Joseph C. McConnell Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Korean War 1940–195415+ F-86 Sabre Was the ace of aces for jet-vs-jet combat. [28] [ better source needed ]
Muhammad Mahmood Alam Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 1953–19825 F-86 Sabre Muhammad Mahmood Alam is credited with having shot down five Indian aircraft in less than a minute, the last four within 30 seconds. [29]
Giora Even Epstein Flag of Israel.svg Israel Six-Day War 1956–199717 Mirage III, Mirage 5, Kfir and F-16 Credited with 17 victories, 16 against Egyptian jets, making Epstein the ace of aces of supersonic fighter jets and of the Israeli Air Force. [30] [31]
Randy H. Cunningham Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Vietnam War 1967–1987 F-4 Phantom II First American ace of the Vietnam War. [32]
Nguyen Van Coc Flag of Vietnam.svg Democratic Republic of Vietnam Vietnam War 1961–20027-9 MiG-17 and MiG-21 From seven to nine victories on US-crewed aircraft, as well as two drones. [33] [34]
Legesse Tefera Flag of Ethiopia.svg Ethiopia Ogaden War 7 Northrop F-5 Ethiopia's most successful pilot, and the most successful Northrop F-5 pilot, with six or seven kills. [35] [36] [37] [38]
Shahram Rostami Flag of Iran.svg Iran Iran–Iraq War 1967–20076-7 F-14 Tomcat [39] [40]
Jalil Zandi Flag of Iran.svg Iran Iran–Iraq War 1970–200111 F-14 Tomcat Iran's most successful fighter pilot ever, with eight confirmed aerial victories. The most successful F-14 Tomcat pilot. [41] [42] [ better source needed ] [43]
Mohommed "Sky Falcon" Rayyan Flag of Iraq (1963-1991).svg Iraq Iran–Iraq War 1977–19865 MiG-21 and MiG-25 Iraq's most successful fighter pilot ever, with five confirmed aerial victories. The most successful MiG-25 pilot. [44] [45]

21st Century era

PersonCountryWarsYears activeAerial victoriesPlane flownNotes
Oleksandr "Grey Wolf" OksanchenkoFlag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Russian invasion of Ukraine Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union 1989–1991

Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 1991–2018, 2022

10 Sukhoi Su-27 One of the first fighter aces of the 21st century with more than 10 confirmed aerial victories.

[47][better source needed]

Vadym "Karaya" & "Ghost of Vinnytsia" VoroshylovFlag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Russian invasion of Ukraine 10+ Mikoyan MiG-29 On October 10, during a massive missile attack, he shot down two Russian cruise missiles. On October 12, he destroyed five Shahed 136 drones three in southern Ukraine and two over Vinnytsia, making him the first ace in a day in the 21st century and since 1st Lieutenant Oscar Perdomo, USAAF 475th FG, On 13 August 1945 who was the last individual to active the title. he was forced to eject from his MiG-29 aircraft after it was hit by debris from the last Shahed-136 that had shot down. Vadym ejected in Vinnytsia region, having previously diverted the fighter jet from the settlement. He was awarded the Hero of Ukraine award for his actions.

[48][better source needed]

Kanamat Botashev Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Russian invasion of Ukraine Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union 1981–1991
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2022
5 Sukhoi Su-25 One of the first fighter aces of the 21st century with at least 5 confirmed aerial victories. He was shot down by an FIM-92 Stinger and died in the crash. [46] [47] [48] [49] [50] Some observers speculated that Botashev had been flying as a mercenary pilot for the Wagner Group. [51]
Ilya Andreevich Sizov Flag of Russia.svg Russia Russo-Ukrainian War

Russian invasion of Ukraine

2016 to Present14+ Sukhoi Su-30SM and Sukhoi Su-57 (since 2023)Shot down 12 Ukrainian aircraft (3 Su-24s, 3 Su-27s, 2 MiG-29s, 2 Mi-24s, and 2 Mi-14) and destroyed two Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, he is currently the highest scoring ace of the 21st century. [52] [53] [54] [ better source needed ]

Submarine aces

Ace of the Deep is a title accorded to the top subsea ace/undersea ace/submarine ace of a nation's submarine force during time of war.[ citation needed ]

Persons accorded the title ace of aces
PersonCountryWarPeriodNotes
Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière Flag of the German Empire.svg Imperial Germany World War I 1915–18The commander of U-35, Arnauld de la Perière sank a total of 194 merchant vessels and gunboats totaling 453,716 gross metric tons. [55] [56]
Günther Prien Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II 1933-1941"Der Stier von Scapa Flow" (The Bull of Scapa Flow), was the commander, of the U-boat, U-47. Prien was credited with sinking over 30 Allied ships totalling about 200,000 gross register tons (GRT), along with the British battleship HMS Royal Oak at anchor in the Home Fleet's anchorage, in Scapa Flow. He was the first U-boat commander to receive the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and the first member of the Kriegsmarine to receive the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany.
Dick O'Kane Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States World War II – 25 October 1944Was captured and made Prisoner of war. [57] [ page needed ]
Eugene Fluckey Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States World War II [58]
Malcolm David Wanklyn Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom World War II – 14 April 1942Wanklyn was the British Ace of Aces in terms of tonnage. [58] [59] [ better source needed ] [60] [ page needed ]
Benjamin Bryant Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom World War II – end of World War IIBryant was the British Ace of Aces. [61] [62] [ page needed ]
Reinhard Suhren Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II A U-boat ace. [63] [ page needed ]
Gianfranco Gazzana-Priaroggia Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg Italy World War II The highest scoring Italian submarine commander, with 11 ships sunk for a total of 90,601 tons. [64]
Carlo Fecia di Cossato Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg Italy World War II With 16 sinkings, he is credited with the most kills in the Regia Marina, as well as the second most successful Italian submarine commander with 86,545 tons. [64]

Submarine hunters

Persons accorded the title ace of aces[ citation needed ]
PersonCountryWarPeriodNotes
John Walker Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom World War II Walker sank more U-boats (12 confirmed) during the Battle of the Atlantic than any other British or Allied commander. [65] [ better source needed ]

Tank aces

A "tank ace" or Panzer ace has been described by Historian Robert Kershaw as being the minority of tank commanders that accounted for the most destroyed enemy armor, saying it is roughly analogous with a flying ace. [66]

PersonCountryWarPeriodTanks destroyedTank type crewedNotes
Kurt Knispel Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II 1940 – 28 April 1945168 Tiger I and Tiger II 168 confirmed and 195 unconfirmed tank kills. He fought in nearly every type of German tank, working as a loader, gunner, or commander. He is credited with destroying a T-34 tank from 3,000 meters.
Otto Carius Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II 1940 – 7 May 1945150 Tiger I, various othersCredited with over 150 tank kills and 1 aircraft shot down, mostly in various Tiger tanks. [67]
Johannes Bölter Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II 1940 – 28 April 1945139 Tiger I Destroyed 139 enemy tanks, including 16 tanks in one action. Referenced in Wolfgang Schneider's "Tigers in Combat, Volume 1" [68]
Michael Wittmann Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II 1941 – 8 August 1944138 Tiger I and Sturmgeschütz III Credited with over 138 tank kills [69]
Paul Egger Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II 1941 – 3 May 1945113 Tiger I SS obershafuehrer Credited with 113 tank kills [70]
Fritz lang Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II 1941 – ????111 Stug III Germany's WW2 top assault gun ace. [71]
Albert Kerscher Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Nazi Germany World War II ???? – 19 April 1945100 Tiger I Feldwebel Albert Kerscher, a member of Schwere Panzer Abeteilung 502. Credited with 100 tanks destroyed [72] [73]
Zvika Greengold Flag of Israel.svg Israel Yom Kippur War 6 October 1973 – 25 October 197360 Centurion (more specifically Sho't)In total 60 tanks were accredited to him. [74] Greengold himself claims 20 Syrian tanks over the space of holding his position for 20 hours. He changed tanks six times. [75] [76]
Dmitry Lavrinenko Flag of the Soviet Union.svg USSR World War II 194152 T-34 Dmitry Fyodorovich Lavrinenko was a Soviet tank commander and Hero of the Soviet Union. He was the highest scoring tank ace of the Allies during World War II. Lavrinenko destroyed 52 tanks in just 2.5 months of fierce fighting in 1941.
Alfred Nickolls Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom World War II 1940 – 194330 M4 Sherman According to the 22nd November 1942 citation, [77] Corporal Nickolls, in a Sherman tank at El Alemain destroyed 14 tanks, including destroying 9 German tanks in one single engagement. [77] He destroyed 30 tank during the entire North Africa campaign, making him the top tank ace of the United Kingdom and the top tank ace of the western Allies during World War II [78] Awarded the Military Medal by Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery [79]
Zinovy Grigoryevich Kolobanov Flag of the Soviet Union.svg USSR World War II 194125 KV-1 Destroyed 22 tanks and 2 artillery pieces before running out of ammunition, while leading a unit of 5 KV-1Es in an ambush near Leningrad on 20 August 1941. His unit destroyed a total of 43 German tanks that day. [80]
Sydney Valpy Radley-Walters Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada World War II October 1942 - end of World War II18 M4 Sherman Credited with 18 tank kills and many other armoured vehicles, whilst in command of three Sherman tanks, named 'Caribou'. [81] The tank squadron under his command may have been responsible for the death of German tank ace Michael Wittmann.
Lafayette G. Pool Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States World War II 27 June 1944 – 15 September 194412 M4 Sherman Widely recognised as the American tank ace of aces, with 12 confirmed tank kills and 258 armoured vehicle kills, whilst in command of a Sherman tank. [82] [83]
Börje Bror Brotell Flag of Finland.svg Finland World War II 1943 – 194411 Sturmgeschütz III Recognised as the Finnish tank ace of aces, with 11 confirmed and 4 unconfirmed tank kills during World War II. Brotell’s role during The Battle of Tali–Ihantala was decisive and his Sturmgeschütz III destroyed multiple enemy tanks which had achieved a breakthrough. [84]
Arun Khetarpal Flag of India.svg India Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Battle of Basantar 9 December 1971 - 16 December 197110 Centurion Indian tank ace. Personally responsible for destroying 10 tanks before he was killed in action in Battle of Basantar [85]
Edmund Roman Orlik Flag of Poland.svg Poland Invasion of Poland 1 September 1939 - 28 September 193910 (official) TKS (20mm variant) Polish "tank ace of aces". During the Invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in September 1939 he claimed to have destroyed ten German tanks, including one Panzer IV Ausf. B, the largest tank then fielded by Germany, with a 2.6 tonne TKS tankette armed with a 20mm autocannon. The unofficial claim is that he destroyed 13 tanks, although this has not been confirmed by any trustworthy sources to date.
Ervin Tarczay  [ hu ]Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946).svg  Hungary World War II January 1943 – 18 March 194510 41M Turán II, Tiger I, Panther and Panzer IV Ausf. H 10 confirmed and 15 unconfirmed tank kills during World War II. [86] [87]

On March 15, 1945 he was knighted and took leave to get married. He returned to service quickly and was offically declared missing in action on March 18 1945, after having been left behind while wounded in Söréd. [88]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying ace</span> Distinction given to fighter pilots

A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied but is usually considered to be five or more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fighter pilot</span> Military combat aviator

A fighter pilot or combat pilot is a military aviator trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting. A fighter pilot with at least five air-to-air kills becomes known as an ace.

Norman Leslie Robert Franks was an English militaria writer who specialised in aviation topics. He focused on the pilots and squadrons of World Wars I and II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lists of World War I flying aces</span>

The following are lists of World War I flying aces. Historically, a flying ace was defined as a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The term was first used by French newspapers, describing Adolphe Pégoud as l'as, after he downed seven German aircraft.

Herbert Rollwage was a German Luftwaffe military aviator and fighter ace during World War II. Depending on source, he is credited between 71 and 102 aerial victories achieved in 664 combat missions. This figure includes 11 aerial victories on the Eastern Front, and at least 61 victories over the Western Allies, including up to 44 four-engine heavy bombers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerial victory standards of World War I</span>

During World War I, the national air services involved developed their own methods of assessing and assigning credit for aerial victories. For various reasons, all belligerents engaged in overclaiming aerial victories to a greater or lesser degree. The accuracy of reported aerial victories varied widely according to definitions and terminology, how strict the standards of verification were defined and upheld, and how well they were able to control for all sorts of cognitive biases in assessing the evidence of aerial victory claims.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">January 1918</span> Month in 1918

The following events occurred in January 1918:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">February 1918</span> Month in 1918

The following events occurred in February 1918:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ace (military)</span> Warrior distinguished by quantifiable achievements

Ace, when used in the context of military propaganda, denotes a successful military professional who has accumulated a meaningfully measurable statistic such as aircraft shot down, tanks destroyed, tonnage sunk, or a number of successful sniper shots. In a manner analogous to sport statistics, some military roles can be measured in terms of a quantifiable metric. Once said metric is established, military personnel may be quantified versus the designated metric and compared in a tabular fashion. Such metrics may be used as a basis for military merit awards, such as Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross by setting an arbitrary threshold. Likewise, a designation of "ace" may be applied, such as 5 aircraft shot down.

References

Citations

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General and cited references

World War I sources

Later wars